by S B BLACK

Created on: October 29, 2009

During tough economic times, many are looking for any way possible to save money or cut down on expenses. The first thing often looked at is the grocery bill. There are several ways to cut back significantly on the monthly food bill.

The most important step in cutting down the grocery bill is planning. Take an inventory of the items that are currently in the pantry. It is often surprising how many hidden items are found in the cupboards. Once an inventory has been taken the next step in the planning process is to make a menu. When planning a menu be sure to include all meals and snacks. Try to incorporate many of the items already on hand and make a list of only the items necessary to fill out the menu. Plan for at least two weeks, as this will mean fewer trips to the grocery store and less chance for impulse spending.

The next step before doing the actual shopping is to look at the ads for the local stores. Check for any big sales or coupons that can be used on items on your list. Try to keep a price book so over time the trends in sales and coupons will begin to emerge. Menu planning can revolve around these sales.

When all the planning has been done it is time to go shopping. Make sure to have the grocery list, the store ad and a small calculator on hand. Allow time for price comparisons until becoming more familiar with the usual bargain items. When comparing items always break them down to the unit price in order to find the best bargain. Some stores place labels on the shelves, but some must be figured by hand. This is when a calculator comes in handy.

Often times store brands or generic brands are cheaper than their name brand counterpart. Always start with the store brands and then check for sales or coupons that may make the name brand the less expensive buy. Try to buy in bulk if it is an item that you use on a regular basis and will use before it spoils. Stay away from the convenient, pre-packaged items. Those single serving packets of oatmeal are quick and easy, but at a minimum of $2.00 for a box of ten you're much better off buying a large container of plain oatmeal and adding your own toppings to give it some flavor.

Start making more from scratch. A loaf of bread can cost anywhere from $1.00 to $3.00, but you can buy the ingredients to make your own for a little more than that and end up with several loaves. Plant a few herbs and vegetables in the summertime and preserve what you can for the winter. This idea takes a little more time and effort, but in the long run saves a lot of money at the grocery store.

These are just a few of the ways that it is possible to save at least 50% on your grocery bill.

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